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New quartz clock, working intermittently

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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 12:25 PM
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Default New quartz clock, working intermittently

Brand new quartz clock installed to replace the old one in my 71. The new one works intermittently - not sure why. Power to the plug is good when the clock wasn/t working so must be a ground issue. Would it help if I ran a ground wire to one of the nuts on the back of the new clock?
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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by DSchaefe
Brand new quartz clock installed to replace the old one in my 71. The new one works intermittently - not sure why. Power to the plug is good when the clock wasn/t working so must be a ground issue. Would it help if I ran a ground wire to one of the nuts on the back of the new clock?

Yes, it does sound like a ground issue. Try this............when it stops running clamp a ground wire to the gauge bezel and see if it starts running. The gauge bezel is grounded but I don't remember where the ground is but it may be thru the two lower screws that fasten the bezel to the shifter plate. My '71 has a ground wire that attaches to the radio case but I don't know if its the bezel ground.
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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by toobroketoretire
Yes, it does sound like a ground issue. Try this............when it stops running clamp a ground wire to the gauge bezel and see if it starts running. The gauge bezel is grounded but I don't remember where the ground is but it may be thru the two lower screws that fasten the bezel to the shifter plate. My '71 has a ground wire that attaches to the radio case but I don't know if its the bezel ground.
So far so good. I still had the new radio out so while accessible I ran a ground wire to the bottom nut holding the clock to the bezel....

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Old Nov 9, 2015 | 10:51 PM
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The ground for the small gauge cluster comes through the temperature gauge connector.

Is this gauge acting up too?

It could also be that the clock screws are not biting into the retainer (ground) good too. You might loosen and then re-tighten them up.

Willcox

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Nov 9, 2015 at 10:51 PM.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 05:05 PM
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Well I tried all of it and the added ground wire and it still quit working today. It has something to do with starting/shutting down the ignition because it was working til I turned the key... It worked fine the past two days on several ignition cycles then today it decided to stop. Random and frustrating but I'll get over it.

All other gauges are working fine.
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Old Nov 10, 2015 | 07:30 PM
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you must've gotten the same quartz i returned for the same reason. in the week it was installed, it would run anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple days...and then stop again. bought a second quartz from a different vendor and i have not had to adjust it in 3 yrs...really its that accurate.

Last edited by dar322; Nov 10, 2015 at 07:32 PM.
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